HP Intros DataPass Prepaid 3G Mobile Broadband for Their Laptops

HP has introduced their new DataPass prepaid mobile broadband service inside select laptop models that come with built-in 3G. That means that instead of having to go ahead and buy a separate prepaid 3G mobile broadband service like what is available from Virgin Mobile or T-Mobile’s prepaid mobile broadband offerings, customers who have 3G in their HP laptop can activate HP DataPass at anytime. There are no contracts or activations costs involved. The DataPass network is currently piggybacking off of Sprint’s nationwide 3G network. Pricing for HP DataPass is as follows –

Although there is no 5GB or unlimited Data option listed, DataPass is definitely a smart move on HP’s part since it makes it so convenient for their laptop customers to access 3G data when they need to. It also might entice more people to order systems with built-in 3G since no contract is required.

The HP DataPass is powered by “Peregrine”.Â Under the direction of Greg Smith and crew this is the same group who made a mess out of Slingshot Prepaid Mobile Broadband.Â That was a far better program because you could use the Slingshot usb modem on any laptop or pc.Â

Instead they scared off the former CEO and COO and drove the program into the ground.Â How HP got involved with Greg Smith without the original Slingshot founders I don’t know but you can bet that that they are going to be sorry they did.Â Does anyone care that these guys left 1000’s of customers out in the cold as well as all the retailers that carried their products?Â I guess this was their only chance since they will probably never be allowed in the retail world again.Â